Spacing-compasses for lettering.



E. H. & E. L. STOVER.

SPAGING OOMPASSES FOR LETTERING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.7, 1912.

1,033,634. Patented July 23,1912.

E VERETT H STOVER THEIR G fro-H124 \BIA PLANDGRAPH CO..WASMINGTON;\D. c.I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EVERETT H. STOVER AND ELMER L. STOVER, 0F MOUNT STERLING, ILLINOIS.

SPACING-COMPASSE$ FOR LETTERING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1912.

Application filed March 7, 1912. Serial No. 682,119.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EVERETT H. STovnR and ELMER L. STovnR, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Mount Sterling, in the county of Brownand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Spacing-Compasses for Lettering, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invent-ion relates to proportional dividers and has specialreference to a form of proportional divider adapted for use inlettering, as for instance in painting signs,

- cutting stone, and other like work.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a pair of dividerswhich will give the correct proportions for letters, one end of theproportional divider being used for obtaining the width of letters,while the other end is used for obtaining the width of the shaded orthickened part of the letter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pair of proportionaldividers with an arcuate scale so arranged as to be held in positionafter the dividers are assembled without danger of being lost, the scalebeing arranged to render it impossible to remove the same after thedividers are assembled.

A third object of the invention is to provide dividers which may bewidely opened to give great range of adjustment.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists ingeneral of certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements ofparts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, -and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views, and: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pairof dividers constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is asimilar view taken at right angles to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view from the end of the dividers showing the same open.Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the smaller or shorter arms, the viewlooking into the jaws. Fig. 5 is a view of the short-er arms showing theThe divider consists of a pair of members 10 and 11, each of which isprovided with a cut away portion 12. These cut away portions are broughttogether and a rivet or the like is passed through suitable alinedopenings to pivotally secure the parts as indi cated at 13. Thesemembers have points 14: projecting beyond the securing rivet and it isto be especially noted that these points 14 are offset, beingsubstantially flat on the inner sides and curved on the outer side. Themembers 10 and 11 are also provided with points 15 and the relativelengths of the major and minor limits of the members is as one to four.The cut away portions 12 are so arranged that when the members 10 and 11are opened the outer portions of these members will contact with thewalls of the cut away portions so that these portions thus constitutestops. By reason of this arrangement and of the fact that the oifset ofthe points is of relatively great length a wide opening of the points 14and consequently of the points 15 may be obtained. The member 10 isprovided with a suitable opening 16 while the member 11 is similarlyprovided with an arcuate slot 17. At 18 is a quadrant gage or scalewhich is provided with a stem 19, the gage or scale passing through theslot 17 while the stem passes through the opening 16. This gage or scaleis of such length that when the points 15 are spread to their farthestextent and the members 10 and 11 respectively contact with the shouldersof the cut away portion 12 of the other memher, the scale 18 will remainwithin the slot 17. Furthermore, the scale and its stem fit closelywithin the slot and opening. For the purpose of locking the device inadjusted position a suitable set screw 20 is provided which engages thescale 18.

It is to be noted that in assembling the device the scale is firstplaced in the slot and then the same is inserted in its opening whilethe members 10 and 11 are still free from each other. The rivet is theninserted and the members riveted together for pivotal connection. If,now, the nut 21, which may be used in connection with the stem 19,should become lost there would be no danger of the scale dropping out.There is thus no danger of losing the scale.

In using the device it is first decided as to the size of letters to bemade. Now, the scale is of such character that the numbers thereonindicate the height of the letters to be used. Now say for instance inconstructing letters four inches high the instrument is opened until theouter side of the member 11 is in alinement with the line marked t.

The distance between the greater limits of the members 10 and 11 willthen be the proper height for any letter four inches high, while thedistance between the minor limits will be the proper width for theshaded or thick portion of the letter in either block or Romancharacters or other characters of like nature. There has thus beenprovided a simple and eflicient device of the kind described, and forthe purpose specified.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

Proportional dividers comprising a pair of members having offset pointsand coacting reduced portions intermediate said points, said reducedportions being of relatively great width and provided with pivotreceiving openings, a pivot extending through said openings, one of saidmembers being provided with a straight opening the opposite member beingprovided with an arcuate opening extending therethrough, an arcuatescale extending through the opening, a stem on said arcuate scalefitting the straight opening, shoulders delimiting said reduced portionsand arranged to limit the opening of the dividers, said scale being ofsuch length that when the dividers are fully opened the scale will stillremain in the arcuate slot, and means to lock the slotted arm inposition on said scale.

In testimony whereof we hereunto a'HiX our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

EV ERETT H. STOVER.

ELMER L. STOVER. Witnesses L. PEARL Gnrrz, ROBERT S. FEUN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, I). 0.

